New Orleans Cocktails, History, Voodoo & Paranormal Tour

The darkest part of New Orleans history is not hidden in a museum. It sits along Bourbon Street, beside old courtyards and elegant homes, where stories of pirates, murder, prostitution, voodoo, and alleged hauntings still cling to the walls. This two-hour walking tour adds cocktails to the mix, with stops around the French Quarter and an EMF meter for extra spooky fun.

I like the local storytelling and the wide range of subjects, from the city’s founding criminals to modern true crime. I also like the low $23 price, which leaves you free to choose your own drinks instead of paying for a fixed package. The main caution is that the tour can feel uneven: some outings focus heavily on one or two crime stories, and voodoo may receive less attention than the title suggests.

Key points to know before you book

• Two hours in the French Quarter: The walking route covers Jackson Square, Bourbon Street locations, old mansions, and sites tied to crime and folklore.
• True crime leads the story: Expect cases involving pirates, felons, prostitutes, murder, and the tragic Zach and Addie story.
• Drinks cost extra: You buy your own cocktails, so your final price depends on what you order.
• A real EMF meter is used: The paranormal detector adds a playful ghost-hunting element, but it is entertainment rather than proof of spirits.
• Experienced storytellers guide the walk: The company says its guides have hosted tours for more than a decade, with Cody and Coty among the names associated with especially lively outings.
• Meet outside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Find the guide on the sidewalk at the courtyard gate, not inside the bar.

Why this tour works for dark-history fans

New Orleans is a natural setting for a tour that mixes drinks with grim stories. The French Quarter has old buildings, narrow streets, courtyards, churches, and homes tied to generations of scandal. You are not simply hearing a general history lecture. You are walking to the places where the stories are said to have unfolded.

The central theme is New Orleans true crime, past and present. That includes the rough characters who helped shape the early city, along with later murders and a 2006 murder-suicide in the French Quarter. The tone is intended to be lively rather than solemn, but the subject matter can be intense.

I would choose this tour if you enjoy stories about real people and real crimes more than polished sightseeing. It is less suited to anyone looking for a gentle introduction to architecture or a formal lesson in Louisiana history. The guide’s style matters a great deal here. A good storyteller can turn a street corner into a gripping scene. A less focused one may spend too much time on personal stories or fail to connect each stop to the wider city.

The strongest part of the experience is the combination of place and story. You hear about a crime while standing near the building, street, or square linked to it. That gives the information a physical anchor, which is more memorable than hearing the same tale in a bar or classroom.

Starting at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop on Bourbon Street

Tours meet on the sidewalk in front of Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street. You do not check in inside the bar. Go to the gate of the attached courtyard and look for the guide there.

This detail matters. The bar’s staff are not part of the tour company and do not handle tour questions, so arriving at the wrong spot can waste time. Arrive a few minutes early, especially if you are unfamiliar with Bourbon Street.

Lafitte’s is a fitting starting point for a walk built around old New Orleans characters and dark tales. From here, the tour moves through the French Quarter on foot. The streets are old and uneven, so wear shoes that can handle two hours of walking. The company also says it is not responsible for injuries caused by rough pavement or lost personal belongings.

The tour is conducted in English, and the guide leads the group on foot rather than using a bus or vehicle. That keeps you close to the buildings and lets the stories unfold in the actual setting.

Jackson Square and the city’s official face

Jackson Square gives the tour a useful change of mood. The square is framed by St. Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, and the Presbytère, all major landmarks in New Orleans. These buildings represent the city’s public and religious identity, while the tour’s stories often turn toward the private scandals and crimes that took place nearby.

A guide may use the square to explain how New Orleans grew from a colonial settlement into a major American city. The focus remains on the city’s complicated past, including folklore, crime, and the customs that helped shape local life.

The nearby St. Anthony’s Garden and Ursuline Convent add another layer. Religious sites and old courtyards can feel calm during the day, yet they sit within the same district as some of the city’s most unsettling stories. That contrast is part of the appeal.

You should not expect to enter every landmark. The experience is primarily an outdoor walking tour, and the listed locations are points along the route rather than a promise of interior visits. If your priority is seeing the inside of historic buildings, choose a separate architecture or museum tour.

LaLaurie Mansion and the darker side of legend

The LaLaurie Mansion is one of the best-known stops on the route. It is widely associated with stories of cruelty, death, and haunting, and it is often described as one of the most haunted houses in New Orleans.

Here, the guide is likely to discuss the building’s reputation and the stories that made it famous. The important distinction is that this is a storytelling stop viewed from the street, not a house tour. You should not expect to go inside.

LaLaurie Mansion also shows how New Orleans history can blur into folklore. Some accounts are presented as fact, others as legend, and the line between them is part of the conversation. A strong guide should help you understand that difference. If you want a strictly documented account, ask questions and listen for which details are established and which belong to the city’s ghost tradition.

The Sultan’s Palace and an unsolved mass murder

The Sultan’s Palace is another major stop. This large French Quarter mansion is tied to one of New Orleans’ most notorious unsolved crimes, a mass murder that still attracts attention.

The stop offers the kind of story this tour does best: a beautiful building, a disturbing past, and unanswered questions. You can look at the architecture while hearing about the crime associated with it. That contrast is one reason walking tours work well in the French Quarter.

The story may be unsettling, so keep that in mind if you prefer lighter sightseeing. This is not a ghost tour built only around theatrical jump scares. The main material concerns murder and the people connected to it.

The Zach and Addie story and modern true crime

The tour also covers the story of Zach and Addie, described as one of the most infamous murders in New Orleans history. Its emphasis is heartbreak as much as violence, giving the walk a more personal angle.

Another stop covers a tragic 2006 murder-suicide in the French Quarter. Including a recent case helps connect old New Orleans legends with the city’s modern history. You are not just hearing about pirates and old mansions. The tour also looks at crime in a neighborhood that remains active and lived-in today.

This part of the walk may appeal most to true-crime fans. It gives you specific cases rather than vague talk about a haunted street. At the same time, the subject can be emotionally heavy. I would avoid booking it if you want a carefree bar crawl with only comic ghost stories.

Voodoo, vampires, and Cajun folklore

The title promises voodoo and paranormal material, and the tour is designed to include Louisiana superstitions, myths, vampire stories, ghost lore, and voodoo traditions. These subjects are central to New Orleans’ popular image, but they should be handled with care.

One important practical point: the tour may not give equal time to each theme. A reported outing included little or no voodoo discussion and focused more on the guide’s personal story. That means you should book this experience mainly for a broad mix of dark history and true crime, not as a dedicated study of voodoo.

The same advice applies to vampire and ghost stories. Expect folklore and entertainment, not academic instruction. The value comes from hearing how stories have been passed down and how they shape the way people imagine New Orleans.

What the EMF meter adds

A real EMF meter, described as a ghost and paranormal detector, is used during the tour. It gives the group something to watch as the guide discusses haunted locations.

For most people, the device is best treated as a fun prop and a way to keep the group involved. It does not prove that a ghost is present, and the tour does not turn into a scientific investigation. Still, it can make a familiar ghost story feel more interactive.

The equipment must be returned to staff, and the company says a $250 fee applies if it is lost or damaged. Do not handle the device carelessly, and avoid letting the spooky excitement turn into rough play.

Cocktails are part of the mood, not the package

The tour price is $23 per person, and drinks are not included. That is a fair entry price for a two-hour guided walk in the French Quarter, especially if you want the freedom to choose your own cocktail.

The arrangement also means you can control your spending. Order a drink when it suits you, skip one if the weather is hot, or keep your budget close to the listed price. Your real cost will depend on the drinks you buy during the outing.

This is not necessarily a nonstop drinking tour. The supplied details describe cocktails as part of the experience, but they do not promise a set number of drinks or a tasting menu. Think of it as a history walk with opportunities for an adult beverage, not an all-inclusive bar crawl.

Drink responsibly. The company may refuse service to anyone who is extremely intoxicated, disruptive, or disrespectful. That rule is sensible, since the tour involves uneven streets, public spaces, and a guide trying to keep a group together.

Guide style can make or break the evening

The tour company says its guides and storytellers have more than ten years of experience. The best feedback centers on guides who are friendly, clear, and able to keep the walk moving. Cody has been singled out for being informative and personable, while Coty has been praised for making the tour dynamic and filling it with useful local details.

Guide quality is especially important here because the experience depends on narration. The buildings are already in place, but the guide must provide the context, explain what is known, separate fact from legend, and avoid losing the group in side stories.

The main weakness to watch for is inconsistency. One outing was described as covering few locations, with most of the time spent outside one house hearing one murder story. Another gave the impression of a random but enjoyable mix of bars, landmarks, and spooky sites. That suggests the exact feel can change with the guide and group.

If you want the best result, arrive ready to engage. Ask about the difference between documented crime and folklore. Ask how a story fits into the city’s wider development. A good guide can take those questions and make the walk feel personal without drifting too far from the route.

Who should book this two-hour walk?

I would recommend it for:

• True-crime fans who want to see the places tied to real cases
• Visitors who enjoy ghost stories, folklore, and paranormal gadgets
• Adults who like pairing sightseeing with a cocktail
• Repeat New Orleans visitors looking for a different angle on the French Quarter
• People who prefer a small-scale walking experience to a bus tour

I would be more cautious if you want a focused voodoo lesson, guaranteed entry into historic buildings, a set number of bars, or a carefully documented academic history tour. The tour covers many themes, so it may feel broad rather than deep.

The non-refundable policy also makes timing important. No refund is offered for cancellation due to weather or late arrival, and check-in is only possible before departure. The operator can reschedule for bad weather and may cancel if too few people sign up, in which case a full refund is issued.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the thought of hearing murder cases outside old French Quarter homes sounds better than a standard sightseeing lecture. At $23, it offers good value for a two-hour introduction to New Orleans crime stories, folklore, landmarks, and nightlife.

Go in with realistic expectations. Drinks cost extra, the route may not spend equal time on voodoo and paranormal themes, and the experience depends heavily on the guide. If you want a lively evening of dark stories with a cocktail in hand, it is a sensible pick. If your main goal is serious voodoo history or a detailed tour of building interiors, choose something more specialized.

FAQ

How long does the New Orleans Cocktails, History, Voodoo & Paranormal Tour last?

The tour lasts two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $23 per person. Drinks are not included.

Where does the tour meet?

It meets on the sidewalk in front of Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116. Meet at the courtyard gate attached to the bar, not inside.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The tour has a live English-speaking guide.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. You purchase drinks separately during the experience.

What locations are covered?

The route includes Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, the Presbytère, St. Anthony’s Garden, the Ursuline Convent, LaLaurie Mansion, and the Sultan’s Palace. It also includes locations linked to modern French Quarter crime.

Is the paranormal equipment included?

A real EMF meter is used during the tour. It must be returned to staff, and a $250 fee may apply if the equipment is lost or damaged.